Geithner
The Biggest What-If Hovering Over Obama’s Presidency
On The Deficit, Think Medium
One line I'm seeing from advocates of the Grand Bargain is that a smaller deal to lift the debt ceiling won't be any easier: READ MORE >>
I'm Getting Scared About The Debt Ceiling
I had been assuming that somehow we'd figure out a way to muddle through the debt ceiling without imposing much harm on the economy, in part because the markets haven't yet assigned any weight to the risk of default. But I'm starting to think about the problem differently. Here is how Alan Blinder puts it: READ MORE >>
The Escape Artist
The Chief
Should Bernanke Be Time's Person of the Year?
Before I answer that question, let me recommend Mike Grunwald's excellent cover story for the Person of the Year issue. It's a great introduction to Bernanke for readers who aren't economics or finance nerds, but you'll find it compelling even if you are such a person. I especially agree with Grunwald's verdict on Bernanke as crisis-manager: READ MORE >>
Should Geithner Resign?
What to Like About the Geithner Plan
Treasury's proposal to increase capital requirements on banks around the world won't be loved by the financial sector, but the rest of us should give it strong consideration. READ MORE >>
Obama As Micromanager? Huh?
I'm a big fan of Neil King and Jonathan Weisman, the two Wall Street Journal reporters who penned today's front-page story about Obama's hunger for details. And, in many respects, it's actually a very good story--you learn a fair amount about Obama's decision-making style. Unfortunately, what you learn has very little to do with the stated premise of the piece, which is that Obama is an incorrigible micromanager. READ MORE >>
Geithner Lays Into Regulators
The Wall Street Journal has a nice scoop today about a meeting Geithner convened Friday to dress down the various regulators bickering over the administration's regulatory reform proposal. According to the Journal: READ MORE >>
